Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid brings a clever elevator-themed mini-puzzle with a split clue that rewards cross-referencing. Whether you're racing the clock or just enjoying a quick brain break, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
How The Mini Works
The Mini is a compact version of the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring a 5x5 grid with five Across and five Down clues. Saturdays expand to a larger grid with more clues. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime. No streak tracking here, but the built-in timer lets you compete against yourself or challenge friends.
New puzzles drop at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday's Mini arrives earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 5x5
Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "With 7-Across, something often marked with a star in elevators", a split clue that requires connecting 4A and 7A
Gimme Clue: "Texter's 'Wow!'", this is texting 101
Theme Spotted: None today
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Texter's "Wow!"
Hint: Three letters. The universal text reaction. Think chat shorthand.
4. With 7-Across, something often marked with a star in elevators
Hint: The ground level. The first word of a two-word phrase.
7. See 4-Across
Hint: The second word of the phrase. What you stand on in a building.
8. Currency of Ireland and Italy
Hint: Four letters. Think European monetary union. Not the dollar.
9. Went illegally fast
Hint: Four letters. Past tense. Lead foot on the highway.
Down Hints
1. Not working
Hint: Three letters. The opposite of "on." Machines and lights use this.
2. A marathon has a little over 26
Hint: Five letters. Unit of distance. The full marathon distance is 26.2 of these.
3. Airline boarding section
Hint: Five letters. They call your number at the gate. Starts with G.
5. Feeling it the next day
Hint: Four letters. Post-workout muscle status. Hurts good.
6. Walked
Hint: Four letters. Past tense. Stepped on something. Think "t___."
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Texter's "Wow!"
Answer: OMG
4. With 7-Across, something often marked with a star in elevators
Answer: FIRST
7. See 4-Across
Answer: FLOOR
8. Currency of Ireland and Italy
Answer: EURO
9. Went illegally fast
Answer: SPED
Down Answers
1. Not working
Answer: OFF
2. A marathon has a little over 26
Answer: MILES
3. Airline boarding section
Answer: GROUP
5. Feeling it the next day
Answer: SORE
6. Walked
Answer: TROD
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "With 7-Across, something often marked with a star in elevators" for FIRST FLOOR. The split-clue format is a Mini staple, one clue spread across two entries that must be read together. It's a clean construction that rewards lateral thinking.
Wordplay Winner: "Went illegally fast" for SPED. Simple past-tense construction, but the clue leans on the legal connotation. No wordplay tricks, just crisp, precise cluing that makes you think twice.
Quick Fill: "Texter's 'Wow!'" for OMG. Three letters, instantly recognizable, and sits right at the top of the grid. The perfect entry point to unlock the rest of the puzzle.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Spot split clues immediately. When you see "With 7-Across" or "See 4-Across" in a clue, the answer is part of a two-word phrase. Solve one half, and the other fills in fast. These are often theme anchors, prioritize them.
Short fills are your friends. OMG, OFF, and SPED are all common crossword answers that appear regularly. Build a mental library of three- and four-letter staples. They unlock crossing Down entries and accelerate your solve time.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The FIRST FLOOR split clue was the puzzle's centerpiece, once you cracked that, the rest fell into place. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
